Tema police arrest suspected armed robber

A 29-year-old cobbler was in the early hours of Friday caught by a joint Police-Military Patrol Team at Tema Community 25 breaking into a house to rob its residents.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mrs Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri, Tema Police Regional Commander, briefing the media, said the patrol team detailed to patrol Bediako, EMEFS, Golf City and its environs, arrested the suspect, Kofi Boamah when they rushed to the scene upon receiving information about the felony.

DCOP Vib-Sanziri said the patrol team spotted Boamah carrying a back-pack and trying to force his way through the gate of a house in Tema Community 25 at about 0200 hours.

She said the suspected robber opened fire on the patrol team who also fired back leading to Boamah bolting and abandoning his back-pack in the process.

The suspect, who was chased and apprehended, admitted during interrogation that he was in the company of three persons and had planned to rob residents of Bediako, a suburb of Golf City in Tema.

The Regional Commander said the patrol team combed the area until they spotted a red and yellow Opel Astra Taxi with registration number ER 6740 X with three occupants including the driver, Kwesi Emmanuel, on board.

She stated that the occupants of the taxi, who opened fire on the patrol team, managed to escape even though the Police-Military Team returned fire.

According to DCOP Vib-Sanziri, the suspects, who escaped, might have sustained several gunshot wounds.

She, therefore, appealed to all health facilities to report any such persons who visit their facility to the nearest police station.

She said when the back-pack abandoned by Kofi Boamah was searched, three locally made pistols, six screw drivers, two pairs of scissors and five live cartridges were found.

A search in the get-away car, which was brought to the Tema Police Regional Headquarters, also revealed one pair of pincers and a pair of cutter.

DCOP Vib-Sanziri said Boamah, who sustained gunshot wounds on his head and left hand, was sent to the Tema General Hospital where he was treated and discharged.

She said the suspect had been cautioned and detained for further investigation after which he would be arraigned before court.